Current Affairs Quiz-September, 2020

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently inaugurated 1.75 lakh houses built under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin in over 12000 villages in Madhya Pradesh.
The Prime Minister also released the ‘Griha Pravesham’ plaque to mark the occasion. The 1.75 lakh houses are a part of the total of 18 lakh houses constructed across the country under the scheme. The work has also been completed in 35 to 40 days, instead of the usual time of 125 days.

Notes:
A new study published in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has found that Vitamin D supplements can decrease the rate of ICU admissions due to Covid-19.
The vitamin is found to be stimulating immune responses against various diseases including the novel coronavirus. The study was conducted on 76 patients who tested positive for Covid-19 in Spain. The patients who received the supplement were discharged without complications.

Notes:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and France’s ENGIE group have signed a long-term loan of up to Rs 466 crore to set up a 200-MW solar power project in Gujarat.
The project that is to be developed in the Raghanesda Solar Park, is expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2021. Electro Solaire Private Limited (ESPL), a special purpose vehicle owned by the ENGIE group, will implement the project.

Notes:
Jammu & Kashmir has announced the commencement of a public grievance redressal system named JK i-grams.
It stands for Jammu and Kashmir integrated grievance redress and monitoring system. The system is started on a pilot basis in Srinagar, Jammu and in Reasi. By 2nd October, the state is expected to include all villages in the system.

Notes:
India has been ranked at 105th position in the Economic Freedom Index 2020.
‘The Economic Freedom of the World: 2020 Annual Report’ has been released by Fraser Institute of Canada in collaboration with New Delhi based think tank “Centre For Civil Society”. As per the report, Hong Kong and Singapore have topped the index.

Notes:
The Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology (IPFT) has successfully developed a “Disinfectant spray for surface application”.
The alcohol based “Disinfectant Spray” for the surface applications contains botanical anti-microbials which would prevent various diseases caused by bacteria and virus. IPFT is an autonomous Institution under the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.

Notes:
The Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) was established by the Ministry of Textiles in 1982, to promote export of Carpets and other allied Products from India.
Recently, CEPC was in news as the organization has announced a three-day virtual Buyer-Seller Meet. The programme is to focus on Australia and adjoining countries, as India is the biggest exporter of handmade carpets to those countries.

Notes:
Foundation stone was laid for construction of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Sabroom of Tripura. It is the first SEZ of the state.
The SEZ is being built at a cost of Rs 635 crore and would focus on rubber, bamboo, textile and food processing. Sabroom is located at a distance of 130 km from Agartala, the capital of Tripura.

Notes:
India has been elected as a Member of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. The 54-member Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a functional body of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Elections were held for 2 seats in Asia Pacific states, where India, Afghanistan and China contested. India won the election to secure a seat in the CSW.

Notes:
Oracle has been chosen by TikTok to be its trusted technology provider in USA. In the acquisition battle between Microsoft and Oracle, Oracle has taken a lead.
President Donald Trump claimed that the USA’s Tik Tok user data are siphoned to Chinese authorities. The US administration ordered ByteDance, the parent company of Tik Tok to sell its U.S. business.